The Orbis

Photo courtesy of Sidelines/Jenny Cordle Bush came to Nashville on Feb. 10 to promote his faith-based initiative but was faced with hundreds of anti-war protestors. [Click to enlarge]

President Bush's visit to Nashville on Feb. 10 inspired a group of protesters to brave the cold and voice their opposition to the looming possibility of war in Iraq. The group gathered at the entrance to the Gaylord Opryland Hotel, bearing signs to express its dissent to the president as well as all passersby.

Bush visited the Music City to address those attending the National Religious Broadcasters Convention. The president spoke about his faith-based initiative, a plan to provide funding for faith-based community service programs. While President Bush addressed domestic issues inside, outside, the approximately 50 demonstrators focused their attention, and the attention of many passing motorists, on international affairs.

Many drivers honked their horns in support for the anti-war group, while others expressed their disagreement by flashing a "thumbs down." One driver even rolled down his window and questioned the Protesters while he waited at a stoplight.

The gathering of demonstrators included adults of all ages as well as a few Vanderbilt students. Because the snow had caused school closings, some children were also in attendance.

A lone war supporter, Lori Davis, parked her car near the protesters and stuck her head out of her sunroof, proudly holding a sign that read simply, "Go Bush." One protester questioned the meaning of her sign asking, "Go Bush? Go where?" Davis was not sure where she wanted Bush to "go," but it seemed that the sign was a show of general support for Bush and his policies.

While some interpreted the demonstration by the protesters as an anti-American or unpatriotic display, those involved wanted to make clear that one could be patriotic while at the same time disagreeing with some of the president's policy choices.

Bush's recent decisions in the area of international relations have brought a strong response from people across the country and throughout the world. Large demonstrations against war have been held in Washington, D.C., and a number of other cities around the globe.

The president and his aides maintain that Iraq is harboring weapons of mass destruction and is inhibiting the work of United Nations weapons inspectors. Some countries have voiced their support for Bush's position while others, such as France and Germany, have remained in staunch opposition to any military action by the U.S. against Iraq at this time.

Bush's team, along with Great Britain, is in the process of drafting a new resolution to support military action in Iraq. Only two other countries in the Security Council -- Spain and Bulgaria -- are currently backing the resolution. Like Bush, the leaders of both Britain and Spain are facing strong opposition to war in their own countries. While demonstrators continue to insist that there are better paths to peace and safety than war, Bush and his supporters maintain that military action appears to be increasingly necessary. "[F]or the sake of peace, we will lead a coalition of willing countries and disarm Saddam Hussein," Bush declared in his Feb. 10 speech.

Differing views about how to reach peace have inspired a national and global debate. And Nashville's own demonstrators -- both anti-war and pro-Bush -- have joined in displaying the great American freedom of expression.

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